Iran does not intend to attack, invade or interfere in the affairs of any country, its president Hassan Rouhani said Tuesday, claiming his country was a bedrock in the conflict-wracked Middle East.
"Today, Iran is the safest most stable country in the whole region, a country that doesn't intend to attack, invade or meddle in the affairs of any state," Rouhani told a business forum in the Italian capital, Rome.
The Islamic Republic would defend itself forcefully but with "reliable rules" and would never breach its international commitments, he said.
Rouhani is on a five-day visit to Italy and France. During the landmark trip, he is looking to rebuild Iran's economic and political ties with the West after crippling economic sanctions and to promote his country as a pillar of strength and stability in an increasingly fraught and fragmented region.
Leading a 120-member delegation that includes government ministers and businessmen, Rouhani has signed deals with Italian firms worth some 20 billion dollars and is expected to seal multi-billion dollar accords with French companies.
